Maguindanao massacre
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
| Maguindanao massacre | |
|---|---|
 Map of the Philippines with Maguindanao highlighted | |
| Location | Mindanao, Philippines |
| Date | November 23, 2009 (UTC +8) |
| Target | Esmael Mangudadatu's family members, supporters, journalists |
Attack type | Massacre |
| Weapons | Small arms |
| Deaths | At least 57 |
| Injured | At least 4 |
The Maguindanao massacre, also known as the Ampatuan massacre (after the town where the mass graves were found), occurred on the morning of November 23, 2009, in the town of Ampatuan in Maguindanao province, on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. The victims were about to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, vice mayor of Buluan town. Mangudadatu was challenging Datu Piang mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr., son of the incumbent Maguindanao governor Datu Andal Ampatuan Sr., in the forthcoming Maguindanao gubernatorial election,[1] part of the national elections in 2010. Those killed included Mangudadatu's wife, his two sisters, lawyers, aides, and motorists who were witnesses or were mistakenly identified as part of the convoy.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called the Maguindanao massacre the single deadliest event for journalists in history.[2] At least 34 journalists are known to have died in the massacre.[3] In a statement, CPJ executive director Joel Simon noted that the killings, "appears to be single deadliest event for the press since 1992, when CPJ began keeping detailed records on journalist deaths."[2] The CPJ further noted that, "Even as we tally the dead in this horrific massacre, our initial research indicates that this is the deadliest single attack on the press ever documented by CPJ."[2]
Even before the Maguindanao massacre, the CPJ had labeled the Philippines the second most dangerous country for journalists, second only to Iraq.[2]
Background
AMPATUANISM - A demon-like act characterized by evil acts and deeds perpetuated by a person or persons under the influence and control and evil.
The Ampatuans had been in control of Maguindanao since 2001. Members of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lists Andal Ampatuan, Sr., as a major ally in Mindanao. Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) regional governor '''Zaldy Ampatuan''' was the party's regional chairman. Andal Sr., the family patriarch, has been provincial governor since 1998; he has been elected thrice, unopposed. Eighteen of the mayors in Maguindanao belong to the clan. The elder Ampatuan attributed his popularity to "popular support," adding "Because I am so loved by the constituencies of the municipalities, they ask me to have my sons as representatives." In the 2004 presidential elections, Arroyo won 69% of Maguindanao's vote; three years later, the party-backed coalition scored a 12-0 sweep of the senatorial elections in the province. Unable to run for a third term, he is currently grooming his son, Andal, Jr., to succeed him as governor.[4][5]
AMPATUANISM - A demon-like act characterized by evil acts and deeds perpetuated by a person or persons under the influence and control and evil.
With escalating tensions in the province, Arroyo herself mediated between the Ampatuans and the Mangudadatus to prevent election-related violence. Three meetings were held in mid-2009, with one meeting hosted by then Secretary of National Defense and current party chairman Gilberto Teodoro, who is running for president. Arroyo's adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio, disclosed that there was an initial agreement "in principle" that no Mangudadatu would contest Ampatuan Sr.'s gubernatorial post.[6]
Two days before the incident, the mass grave was prepared using a backhoe owned by the Ampatuan family.[7]
Attack
Mangudadatu invited 37 journalists to cover the scheduled filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections provincial office in Shariff Aguak. He said reports had reached him that his rivals had threatened to chop him into pieces once he filed his COC, and felt the presence of journalists would deter such an attack.
There were 58 people (37 journalists, 16 women designated to file the COC, and 5 drivers) in the convoy of five vehicles which left Buluan for Shariff Aguak around 9:30 a.m. on November 23.
Before reaching its destination, the convoy was stopped by 100 armed men, who abducted and later killed most or all of its members.[3] There is evidence that some female victims were raped, tortured and beheaded.[8]
In a text message sent by Mangudadatu's wife to him, she identified the people that blocked their way as the men of Ampatuan Jr, and that he himself slapped her.[9] The female victims were shot in their genitals and may have been raped, according to Secretary of Justice Agnes Devanadera. According to Mangudadatu, his wife's "private parts were slashed four times, after which they fired a bullet into it." In addition, he said that "They speared both of her eyes, shot both her breasts, cut off her feet, fired into her mouth."[10][11]
A backhoe located in the immediate vicinity of the carnage at Ampatuan town was identified as the instrument that was used to expediently dig the graves of the victims, including the vehicles. The perpetrators weren't able to complete the job when a helicopter was spotted in the area. The backhoe, emblazoned with the name of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., was later identified to belong to the Maguindanao provincial government.[12]
As of November 25, the death toll had risen to 57, as confirmed by Chief Superintendent Josefino Cataluna of the Philippine National Police.[13][14][15] Reporters Without Borders announced that at least 12 of the victims were journalists, making this the deadliest such incident in the history of news media.[16] The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines originally estimated that a total of 20 journalists were killed, including an undisclosed number of NUJP members.[14] The Philippine Daily Inquirer later updated the number of journalists killed to 34.[3]
On November 24, Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo responded to the news of the massacre by declaring a state of emergency in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City.[15] Speaker of the House Prospero Nograles called on the police to quickly identify the perpetrators of the massacre and disarm private armies.[17] The Philippine Department of Justice created a panel of special prosecutors to handle cases arising from the massacre.[18]
Aftermath
In the aftermath, Nueva Ecija Rep. Edno Joson said the massacre might affect, or even lead to the cancellation of, the scheduled 2010 presidential elections.[17] Candidates in the election condemned the massacre.[19]
On Wednesday, November 25, 2009, the executive committee of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD political party unanimously voted to expel three members of the Ampatuan family - Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and his two sons, Gov. Zaldy Uy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. - from the party for their alleged role in the Maguindanao massacre.[20] An emergency meeting of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD was held in Pasig, during which the Ampatuans were stripped of their membership.[2]
On Thursday, November 26, 2009, Ampatuan Jr. surrendered to his brother Zaldy, was delivered to adviser to the peace process Jesus Dureza, then was flown to General Santos on his way to Manila, where he was taken to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters.[21][22] Police in the Philippines charged Andal Ampatuan Jr. with murder.[23] Ampatuan denied the charges, claiming that he was at the provincial capitol in Shariff Aguak when the massacre took place. He instead blamed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), specifically Ombra Kato, as the mastermind, a charge the MILF dismissed as "absurd."[24][25]
Mangudadatu successfully filed his certificate of candidacy at Shariff Aguak on November 27. He was accompanied by Lakas-Kampi-CMD chairman and presidential candidate Gilberto Teodoro, along with a caravan of 50 vehicles, to "ensure his safety."[26]
Victims
Mangudadatus
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Genalyn Tiamson-Mangudadatu | Wife of Esmael Mangudadatu. |
| Eden Mangudadatu | Municipal Vice Mayor of Mangudadatu, Maguindanao, sister of Esmael Mangudadatu. |
| Rowena Mangudadatu | |
| Manguba Mangudadatu | Aunt of Esmael Mangudadatu.[27] |
| Faridah Sabdulah | [27] |
| Farida Mangudadatu | Youngest sister of Esmael Mangudadatu.[27] |
| Farina Mangudadatu | Another sister of Esmael Mangudadatu. |
| Concepcion “Connie” Brizuela, 56 | Lawyer.[28] |
| Cynthia Oquendo, 35 | Lawyer. |
| Catalino Oquendo | Cynthia Oquendo's father. |
| Rasul Daud | Driver of Pax Mangudadatu.[27] |
Journalists
Thirty-four journalists are known to have been abducted and killed in the massacre, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.[3] Only 25 have been positively identified so far.[3]
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Henry Araneta | DZRH |
| Alejandro "Bong" Reblando,[3] 53 | Manila Bulletin correspondent,[29] a former Associated Press reporter.[30] |
| Napoleon “Nap” Salaysay | DZRO manager. |
| Bartolome “Bart” Maravilla | Bombo Radyo Koronadal, South Cotabato.[3] |
| Jhoy Dojay | Goldstar Daily.[3] |
| Andy Teodoro | Mindanao Examiner & Central Mindanao Inquirer.[3] |
| Ian Subang | Mindanao Focus, a General Santos-based weekly community newspaper.[3] |
| Leah Dalmacio | Mindanao Focus. |
| Gina Dela Cruz | Mindanao Focus.[3] |
| Maritess Cablitas | Mindanao Focus.[3] |
| Neneng Montano | Saksi weekly newspaper.[3] |
| Victor Nuñez | UNTV.[3] |
| Macario "Macmac" Arriola | UNTV cameraman.[3] |
| Humberto Mumay | Koronadal-based journalist.[3] |
| Rey Merisco | Koronadal-based journalist.[3] |
| Ronnie Perante | Koronadal-based journalist.[3] |
| Jun Legarta | Koronadal-based journalist.[3] |
| Val Cachuela | Koronadal-based journalist.[3] |
| Joel Parcon | Freelance journalist. |
| Noel Decena | Freelance journalist. |
| John Caniba | Freelance journalist. |
| Art Belia | Freelance journalist. |
| Ranie Razon | Freelance journalist. |
| Archie Cancel | Freelance journalist. |
Red Toyota Vios
Number of casualties: 5. They were supposedly mistaken as part of the convoy.[31]
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Eduardo Lechonsito | Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat government employee. |
| Cecille Lechonsito | Wife of Eduardo Lechonsito. |
| Mercy Palabrica | Co-worker of Eduardo Lechonsito. |
| Daryll delos Reyes | Co-worker of Eduardo Lechonsito. |
| Wilhelm Palabrica | Driver |
References
- ^ Jimenez-David, Rina (November 24, 2009). "Understanding the unbelievable". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b c d e Papa, Alcuin (2009-11-26). "Maguindanao massacre worst-ever for journalists". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Zonio, Aquilies (2009-11-24). "Inquirer man recounts harrowing tales of survival". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2009-11-25.
- ^ "Maguindanao governor modern-day Godfather". INQUIRER.net. 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ "21 killed in Maguindanao". INQUIRER.net. 2009-11-24. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ "Malacañang distances itself from mass murder". INQUIRER.net. 2009-11-25. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/official-confirms-mayor-is-the-suspect-in-political-massacre-1.533131
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/philippines/6664185/Philippine-massacre-suspect-surrenders.html
- ^ "Massacre planned, says Buluan vice mayor". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
{{cite news}}: Text "date-2009-11-26" ignored (help) - ^ "'We can't call them animals, they are monsters'". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
{{cite news}}: Text "date-2009-11-26" ignored (help) - ^ "Massacre women victims shot in genitals—DoJ chief". Agance France Presse. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
{{cite news}}: Text "date-2009-11-27" ignored (help) - ^ Ramos, Marlon. "Backhoe operator sought in Maguindanao massacre". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
{{cite news}}: Text "date-2009-11-25" ignored (help) - ^ "5 more bodies uncovered in Philippine massacre". Associated Press. November 25, 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/11/25/09/maguindanao-massacre-toll-47
- ^ a b Aie Balagtas See (2009-11-24). "Maguindanao killing field death toll rises to 46 – AFP". GMANews.TV. GMA Network. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
- ^ "Twelve journalists killed on Mindanao island in "dark day for press freedom"". Press Freedom Index. Reporters without Borders. 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
- ^ a b Porcalla, Delon (November 25, 2009). "Authorities urged to identify perpetrators of Maguindanao massacre". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "DOJ creates panel on Maguindanao massacre". ABS-CBN News. November 24, 2009. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "2010 presidential bets condemn massacre". Manila Bulletin. November 24, 2009. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Zonio, Aquilies (2009-11-25). "3 Ampatuans expelled from admin party". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2009-11-25.
- ^ Kwok, Abigail (2009-11-26). "Ampatuan surrenders, to be flown to Manila". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
- ^ Bordadora, Norman (2009-11-26). "Prosecutors OK murder charges vs Ampatuan". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ Tran, Mark (2009-11-26). "Philippines massacre: police charge local politician with murder". The Guardian. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
- ^ "Ampatuan Jr. claim vs MILF may be used in probe, says military exec". INQUIRER.net. 2009-11-27. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ Señase, Charlie (2009-11-27). "'Absurd,' says MILF on Ampatuan claim". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ "Mangudadatu files COC for Maguindanao gov". GMANews. 2009-11-27. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ a b c d "List of victims in Maguindanao massacre".
- ^ "Slain lawyers among most ardent peace advocates in Mindanao".
- ^ http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/?p=5122
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/26/philippines-massacre-politician-charged
- ^ "Innocent motorists among massacre victims in Ampatuan". GMANews.tv. November 25, 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.